Voussoir
A voussoir is a wedge-shaped stone used in building arches and other curved structures in masonry work. Think of it like a piece in a puzzle that helps create strong, curved structures in buildings. When reviewing resumes in masonry or stonework, this term indicates that a candidate has experience with more advanced architectural stone construction, particularly with arches, bridges, or decorative masonry. It's similar to other specialized masonry terms like keystone or springers, which are all part of arch construction.
Examples in Resumes
Installed Voussoir stones in historic building restoration projects
Supervised installation of Voussoirs in bridge reconstruction work
Crafted custom Voussoir pieces for decorative archways
Typical job title: "Stone Masons"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Stone Masons
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you plan and execute a complex arch construction project using voussoirs?
Expected Answer: A senior mason should explain the process of measuring, cutting, and installing voussoirs, including safety considerations, team coordination, and quality control methods. They should mention experience managing such projects.
Q: What considerations do you take when restoring historic arches with damaged voussoirs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss assessment of structural integrity, matching historical materials, preservation techniques, and working with preservation guidelines. Should mention experience with heritage projects.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Describe the process of cutting and shaping voussoirs for an arch.
Expected Answer: Should explain basic geometry of arch stones, tools used, and safety procedures. Should demonstrate understanding of how angles affect arch stability.
Q: What are the common problems you might encounter when installing voussoirs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss alignment issues, weight distribution, proper mortar use, and how to ensure arch stability during construction.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a voussoir and why is it important in arch construction?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe what a voussoir is (wedge-shaped stone) and explain its basic role in creating stable arches.
Q: What safety measures do you take when working with heavy arch stones?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic safety procedures, proper lifting techniques, and awareness of OSHA requirements.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic stone cutting and shaping
- Understanding of arch construction
- Knowledge of basic masonry tools
- Safety awareness
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex stone cutting and fitting
- Arch construction and repair
- Blueprint reading
- Team coordination
Senior (5+ years)
- Project management
- Historic restoration expertise
- Advanced architectural stonework
- Training and supervision
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with stone cutting
- Lack of knowledge about basic arch construction
- Poor understanding of masonry safety practices
- No experience with traditional masonry tools
Related Terms
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